okreeb



B. F. GREER.

SAFE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-29, 1916.

Patented Oct. 26, 1920.

A TTORNEY UNITED sTATEs EQIATENT OFFICE.

BUTLER F. GBEEB, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SAFE.

Application filed August 29, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, BUTLER F. GREEK, a citizen of the United States, residing at 555 Bush street, San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in'Safes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in savings banks, more particularly to a bank of this type formed to imitate a book.

The particular object of my invention is to so construct and arrange the various parts of the device that they may be cut and formed from sheet metal, that when assembled they form a strong solidly connected container from which the coins cannot be withdrawn and which cannot be forced open except with considerable effort.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction herein illustrated and more specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Reference being had to accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the completed bank showing the outer covering partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section showing the construction of the hinged door and certain details of construction by which the bank is held together.

Fig. 3 is a view in section on the line 33, Fi 2.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the hinged door by which the coins may be removed from the bank.

Fig; 5 is a view in section, 5-5, Fig. 4.

F 6 is a fragmentary view of the bottom. of the bank.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged. sectional view on 7 7, Fig. 3.

Referring to corresponding parts of the several views by the same numerals of reference: The bank here illustrated. is formed to imitate a book and consists of the sides 1 and 2, corresponding to the book covers. These sides are connected by the portion 3, curved to imitate the back of a book and preferably provided with leather or cloth covering 4, in imitation of the binding. The bottom 7 and the front wall. 8 of the bank are formed from a strip 6, whichis also provided with certain fingers 9 on the bottom Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 26, 1920.

Serial No. 117,537.

7 and L-shaped fingers 10 on the side wall 8. These fingers are used to connect this strip to the sides 1 and 2 in the manner hereinafter described.

The top of the bank is formed by a hinged door or lid 11 and projecting from the wall 8 adjacent to the top thereof are larger L-shaped lugs or fingers 12, the upstanding portion 13 of each of which is provided with a hole 14 for the insertion of the pivot pin on which the door is mounted. The lugs 12 are also provided with openings 15 and the side walls 1 and 2 are pro vided with inwardly projecting ton ues 16,

shaped to enter openings 15 and be bent around as shown at 17 in Fig. 3. Thus when the strip 6 is positioned between and within the edges of the plates 1 and 2 and the tongues 16 are bent around as illustrated, the strip is prevented from moving longitudinally with respect .to the side plates. The latter are provided with strips 19 severed on their two sides from the plates 1 and 2 and pressed inwardly as shown in Fig. 7, thereby providing an opening between the strips and the body of the sheets through which the upwardly projecting portion of the fingers 9 and 10 are adapted to be inserted. These fingers may also be bent around the strip as shown at 21 in Fig. 3, thereby holding the side plates to the edge flange as well as preventing the bottom 7 from being pried outwardly.

The door consists of the plate 22 having angularly bent flanges 23 adapted to reinforce the door and prevent bonding of the same. This door is provided with an opening 2 l'through which the coins may be inserted and this opening is protected by guards to prevent the withdrawal of the coins. The construction of the guard. is more particularly illustrated. in Figs. 4%. and 5, and consists of strip 250% spring metal having pointedv converging teeth 26. this spring strip being positioned within an outer frame 27 The latter is held in posi tion by means of tongues 28 formed from the metal cut out of opening 24 and bent inwardly and around 27 as shown in Fig. 5.

The lock 30 is held in position by means of lugs 31 bent on a side of plate 22. The back wall 3 of the bank has a strip 32 partially severed therefrom and bent inwardly as shown in Fig. 2. This strip forms an abutment for the bolt 33 of the lock to limit its downward movement. Just above the strip 32 the metal of the bank is again par tially severed and bent inwardly as indicated at 84, thereby providing a space between the two portions 32 and 34: in which the bolt is positioned when the door is closed and locked. The side flanges 23 are provided with holes 35 adapted to aline with those of it when the door is in position, and a pin 36 extends through these openings to pivotally mount the door on the ears 13.

Thus, in assembling a bank with the various parts formed in the manner described, the strip 6 forming the bottom and front edges has its fingers 9 and 10 inserted between the various strips 19 formed on the side plates 1 and 2. At the same time the door is positioned on the upper lugs 12 by inserting the pin through the alining open ings. The upper front corners of the side plates are then sprung apart a suthcient amount to allow the lugs 17 to enter the holes 15. These lugs are then bent around effectively holding the side plates to the edge strip, not only against the prying apart of the two members but also against the sliding of the members one on the other. Vi hen the door is pressed down the lock bolt enters the space between the strips 32 and 34, thereby effectively locking the bank. The coins are deposited therein by insertin through the slot 24, this act pressing apart the spring teeth 26 a suflicient amount to allow the passage of the coin. Paper money may be deposited through a circular opening 37 provided in the bottom strip '7.

I have thus provided-a bank which may be simply and cheaply constructed, but which is very strong and effective in use. At the same time by applying a suitable covering for it a very attractive article is produced. The banks are particularly adapted to be loaned by institutions in connection with the savings deposit accounts. I am aware that banks of this character have heretofore been used but the novel features for which I claim protection consists of the various devices for holding the parts together.

I claim as new and wish to cover by Letters Patent 1. A container comprising side plates connected by a curved back wall, a bottom and afront wall fonned by a single L-shaped strip of metal having the side edges of its horizontal arm provided with upwardly ex tended lingers the faces of which lie parallel with said side plates, the vertical arm of said strip having its edges provided with angular fingers the faces of which also lie parallel with said side plates, strips punched from said side plates and bent inwardly to form keepers to receive said fingers, and a door pivotally supported by said L-shaped strip and mounted between said side plates.

2. A container comprising side plates connected by a curved back wall, a bottom and a front wall formed of a single L-shaped strip of metal having the side edges of its bottom arm provided with upwardly extending lingers the faces of which lie parallel with said side plates, the'frontarm' of ,aid L-shaped strip having its edges provided with angular fingers the faces of vhioh also lie parallel with said side plates, strips punched from said side plates and bent inwardly to form keepers to receive said lingers, hinge lugs carried by said L- shaped strip, tongues carried by the side plates and engaging said hinge lugs, a door pivotally attached to said hinge lugs, and means for locking said door.

3. A container comprising side plates connected by a curved back wall, a bottom and a front wall formed of a single L-shaped strip of metal having the side edges of the bottom member provided with upwardly extending fingers the faces of which lie parallel with said side plates, the front member of said L-shaped strip having its edges provided with angular fingers the faces of which also lie parallel with said side plates, strips punched from said side plates and bent inwardly to form keepers to receive said lingers, integral L-shaped lugs formed on the front wall member near the top thereof and provided with openings,tongues formed on the side plates and engaging said openings, and a door pivotally attached to said lugs.

A container comprising side plates connected by a back wall, a bottom and a front wall formed of a singleL-shaped strip of metal provided with fingers the faces of which lie parallel with said side plates, strips punched from said side plates and bent inwardly to form keepers to receive said fingers, L-shaped lugs carried by the front wall member and lying parallel with said side plates, a door forming the top wall of the container and provided with reinforcing ribs on its edges also lying parallel with the side plates, said L-shaped lugs and said reinforcing ribs being provided with openings in register, and a pivot pin extending through said openings.

A container comprising side plates connected by a back wall, a bottom wall and a front wall formed of a single strip, means for uniting said strip and said side plates, hinge lugs carried by said front wall, a door pivoted to said hinge lugs, said door having an elongated opening, bent over strips attached to said door contiguous to said opening, a guard for said opening consisting of a strip having pointed converging teeth, and a frame engaging said guard and retained in position by said bent over strips.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

BUTLER F. GREER. 

